DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 4 (MExN): The High Level Commission formed earlier in August to work out modalities towards the formation of one Naga National Government has issued an ‘Open Statement to the Naga people’ declaring “to the Nagas and before God that” that they were committed to Naga Reconciliation and that they remain firm in their pledge to cultivate understanding and work towards building a shared Naga Future.
Naga groups reject any ‘gift’ or imposed solution
“Our longing to fulfill the necessity for Naga reconciliation has been embodied in the ‘Naga Concordant’ where our top leaders have agreed in principle to form one Naga National Government on the basis of our historical and political rights as a sovereign people”, stated the open statement signed by Gen (Retd) VS Atem NSCN/GPRN, Mr. Zhopra Vero NNC/FGN and Mr. Azheto Chophy GPRN/NSCN all members of the High Level Commission.
Once again reaffirming that there was now no turning back from the path of Naga Reconciliation, the signatories informed that “in the spirit of forgiveness” they had “agreed to let bygones be bygones” and pointed out that they were now prepared to understand each other and work for a shared Naga future.
The signatories also stated that “today, the Naga people have the best opportunity to reconcile and march together as a nation towards our historical and political rights”. “None of us should remain silent in times such as this. Every Naga needs to constructively contribute and participate to make this Reconciliation process a living reality. The Naga nation needs each and every one of you”, it stated. The signatories also admitted that “the behavior of our cadres have been contrary to the values of the Naga movement” and sought people’s “forgiveness” and expressed “hope that for the healing of our nation, you will forgive us”. “Let us march together to the future”.
The members of the High Level Commission also jointly raised three specific points for public understanding. Firstly it stated that a number of individuals have been regularly expressing their views on the Naga Reconciliation process in the local media. “We are troubled because their views and opinions are often factually incorrect and at times driven by self-preservation”, it stated while adding that the “hypothesis they present are far from the reality and intent of the reconciliation process and therefore very misleading to the people”.
It stated that such statements are detrimental for reconciliation. “The Naga Reconciliation has come this far against much odds and it is our appeal that the people recognize the sensitivity of the process. The Naga politicians, bureaucrats, intellectuals, organizations and people are urged not to play divisive politics anymore. Rather let us work together for the common good of all”.
Secondly the signatories were also “equally appalled by so called ‘Christmas Gift’ in the form of a ‘Naga Supra State,’ which is supposedly proposed by the Government of India. “We place on record that Nagas are not seeking or demanding any ‘gift’ from India. Nagas are only resisting against forces that are preventing us to exercise our historical and political rights”, it stated. To clear any confusion or suspicion in the minds of the Naga people, the signatories jointly declared that any resolution to the Naga issue should be based on the historical and political rights of the Naga people. “We will continue to reject and oppose any solution or package that is imposed upon the Naga people”. Thirdly the signatories have also “with full trust” expressed that it was “committed to continue supporting the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) in its Journey of common Hope.
